Closed Sets of Reals
Closed Sets in the Cantor Space and Degrees of
Unsolvability
Takayuki Kihara
Mathematical Institute, Tohoku University
May 21, 2010
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Decision Problems
Slogan I
✞
✝
☎ A Set of Integers✆=✄
✂A Decision Problem✁ A set A represents the following problem:
“decide whether a given integer belongs to A !” Example
1 The set of all prime numbers
=“Decide whether a given integer is prime!”
2 The set of all theorems of a theory T
=“Decide whether a given sentence is a theorem of T !”
3 The set of all programs which eventually halt
=“Decide whether a given program eventually halts!”
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Decision Problems
Slogan I
✞
✝
☎ A Set of Integers✆=✄
✂A Decision Problem✁ Definition
If a problem A ⊆ Nis algorithmically decidable, we say that A is computableorrecursive.
Then one might ask whethernon-computableproblem exists. We notice the following:
An algorithm must be written by a finite word.
The setΣ<ωof all finite words of an alphabetΣis countable. Thus, the set of all computable problems is at most countable. The set 2ωof all decision problems is uncountable.
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Natural Decision Problems
However...
Everynaturalproblem should be representable by a finite word.
So the set of all natural problems is at most countable...? Does there exist a non-computablenaturalproblem? If one think thatarithmetically definableproblem is natural...
We notice that every∆0
1problem is computable. In fact, computability is completely characterized by
∆01-definability!
(Fundamental Theorem) ∆0
1 = Computable
Is everyΣ01problem computable?
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Σ0
1
Decision Problems
(Question) Is everyΣ0
1problem computable? Examples ofΣ0
1 decision problems
1 Th(T) =the set of all theorems of an axiomatizable theory T .
2 HALT =the set of all programs which eventually halt. Theorem
1 (G ¨odel’s incompleteness theorem) If a consistent
axiomatizable theory T contains an elementary arithmetic, then Th(T)is non-computable!
2 (Turing’s theorem) HALT is non-computable!
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Oracle Computation
Now, we are interested in degrees of algorithmic unsolvability. For given non-computable problems A and B, which problem ismore non-computable?
Definition
A Turing functionalis a algorithm with special instructions of the form “z:=Oracle(x)” for some variableszandx. Φ(f;n)executes the algorithmΦwith an input n, and if an instruction “z:=Oracle(x)” occurs and if the current value of xis x, thenΦassigns the value f(x)to the variablez. Φ(f;n) = m if the computationΦ(f;n)halts with an output m, andΦ(f;n)is undefined, otherwise.
A Turing functional is a partial function: ωω×ω → ω, and is usually regarded as a partial function: ωω→ωω.
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Definition
1 A problem A is computable froma problem B (denoted by A ≤T B) if a Turing functionalΦ :B 7→A exists.
2 A ≡T B if A ≤T B and B ≤T A .
3 Turing degreesordegrees of unsolvabilityare defined by D =2ω/ ≡T, and letdegT(A) =A/ ≡T.
Observation
At most countable Turing functionals exist.
Indeed, there exists a computable enumeration{Φe}e∈ωof all
Turing functionals.
For every problem B,{A ∈2ω :A ≤T B}is countable.
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Basic results in the global structure
Theorem
For every problem A :
1 Continuum many problems≥T A exist.
2 (Sacks) If A is noncomputable, then
the Lebesgue measure of{B ∈ 2ω: B ≥T A}is 0.
3 Hence, almost all problems are Turing incomparable with A .
Arithmetically definable problems are at most countable. We next focus on the degree structure of arithmetical problems, includingΣ0
1problems, such as the halting problem.
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Definition
The halting problem relative to Ais the set of all Turing functionals which eventually halt with an oracle-input A . Formally, it is defined by A′ = {e : Φe(A;0) ↓}.
We call A′the Turing jump of A. A′ is aΣ0
1(A)problem.
We can iterate the Turing jump operation, such as A′,A′′,A′′′, . . .
A(n) denotes the n-th Turing jump of A . Theorem
A <T A′ <T A′′ <T A′′′ <T · · ·<T A(n) <T A(n+1) <T . . ..
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
One often uses the sequence of Turing jumps{∅(n)}as a barometer of the degree of noncomputability.
One can ask:
“Is a given problem more noncomputable than∅(n), or not?” But...
Is that really a good barometer?
There is no reason to believe that the use of the halting problem is essential.
Post’s theoremtells us that the halting problem is, really and truly, universal in the arithmetical hierarchy.
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Post’s theorem
1 Σ0
n+1 = Σ 0 1(∅
(n)).
2 A ∈ ∆0
n+1 ⇐⇒ A ≤T ∅ (n).
Relativized Post’s theorem
1 Σ0
n+1(B) = Σ 0 1(B
(n)).
2 A ∈ ∆0
n+1(B) ⇐⇒ A ≤T B (n).
Corollary
∆0
1(B) = Computable from B .
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Basic results in Recursion Theory
Problem (Post (1944)) Does there exist aΣ0
1problem A such that∅<T A <T ∅′?
Theorem (Kleene-Post (1954)) There exists a∆0
2problem A such that∅<T A <T ∅′. Indeed, Turing degrees of∆0
2problems are not linear ordered.
Theorem (Friedberg (1957), Muchnik (1956)) There exists aΣ0
1problem A such that∅<T A <T ∅′. Indeed, Turing degrees ofΣ0
1problems are not linear ordered.
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Arithmetical hierarchy
∆0
1 computable
Σ0
1 computably enumerable
∆0
2 limit computable Sn<ωΣ0n arithmetical
∆1
1 hyper-arithmetical Theorem
∆1
1 =
S
α<ωCK
1
∆0α. HereωCK
1 denotes the Church-Kleene’sω1, the first noncomputable ordinal.
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Hierarchy in Reverse Mathematics RCA= ∆0
1-CA
WKL ACA= Σ0
1-CA= Σ 0
2-CA= Σ 0 n-CA
ACA+ = Σ0ω-CA
∆1
1-CA
ATR≈Sα<ωCK 1
∆0α-CA Π1
1-CA
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
1 We observed an attractive connection between a definability hierarchy and a computability hierarchy inω.
2 Does an analogous principle hold in other topological spaces? Definition (topological spaces of words)
For a set of symbolsΣ ⊆ N, the topological spaceΣωis defined by the countable topological product of the discrete spaceΣ.
Equivalently, the topology ofΣωis also induced by the basic neighborhood system: Nσ = {f ∈ Σω :f ⊃σ}forσ ∈ Σ<ω.
1 2ωis said to bethe Cantor space.
2 ωωis said to bethe Baire space.
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Borel hierarchy
AΓ
∼set is aΓ-definable set with a real parameter. Formally, A isaΓ
∼setin the spaceXif there exists aΓ-formula ψand a pointp~ ∈ Xnsuch that A = {x ∈ X: ψ(x, ~p)}.
Definability Hierarchy with Parameters=Topological Hierarchy Σ∼01 open
Π∼01 closed Σ∼
0
2 Fσ
Π∼02 Gδ
∆∼11 Borel
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
lightface Borel hierarchy
AΓset is aΓ-definable set without a real parameter. Formally, A isaΓ setin the spaceXif there exists a Γ-formulaψsuch that A = {x ∈ X: ψ(x)}.
One might think also aΓ set as a problem described by a Γ-formula.
Slogan II
✞
✝
☎ A Set of Reals✆=✄
✂A Mass Problem✁
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
lightface theory and computability
Definition
1 G(X) = {σ : Nσ ⊆ X}.
2 T
Y = G(Y∁)∁ = {σ :Nσ∩Y ,∅}. Representation of open and closed sets
1 int(X) =S
σ∈G(X)Nσ;
hence, for an open set O, O =Sσ∈G(O)Nσ.
2 T
Y is a tree without dead ends, and cl(Y) = [TY]; hence, for a closed set C, C = [TC].
3 An open set O isΓ-openif G(O)is aΓset.
4 A closed set C isΓ-closedif TC is aΓset.
5 O is aΣ0
1 set if and only if it is aΣ0
1-open set.
6 C is aΠ0set if and only if it is aΠ0-closed set.
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
1 (Post’s theorem) Inω:
1 Σ0
1(∅
(n)) ⇐⇒ Σ0 n+1.
2 Π0
1(∅
(n)) ⇐⇒ Π0 n+1. 2 In 2ω:
1 Σ0 1(∅
(n)) ⇐⇒ Σ0
n+1-open =⇒ Σ 0
n+1& open =⇒ Σ 0 n+1
2 Π0
1(∅
(n)) ⇐⇒ Π0
n+1-closed ⇒ Π 0
n+1& closed ⇒ Π0
n+1
Remark
In the above figure, no reverse implication holds for n≥ 1:
1 There exists a set which isΣ0
2 but notΣ∼ 0 1.
2 ∅(ω)isΠ0
2singleton (i.e.,{∅(ω)}is aΠ0
2set), hence is closed.
(ω) Π0 ω
Closed Sets of Reals Degrees of Noncomputability of Reals
Definability Hierarchy=Computability Hierarchy Clopen (∆0
1) Finite set of finite strings Effectively open (Σ0
1) C. e. (Σ 0
1) set GOof finite strings. Effectively closed (Π0
1) Co-c.e. (Π 0
1) sets TC of finite strings. Now, the complexity and the Turing degree of GO (resp. TC) is regarded as those of an open set O (resp. a closed set C). To avoid confusion, aΓset in 2ωis said to beaΓclass.
Closed Sets of Reals
Slogan II
✞
✝
☎ A Set of Reals✆=✄
✂A Mass Problem✁
A set A represents a solution set of a problem: “find an element of A !”
Example
1 The set of all transcendental numbers.
=“Find a transcendental number!”
2 The set of all fixed-points of a continuous function on[0,1].
=“Find a fixed-point of a continuous function on[0,1]!”
3 The set of all 4-colorings of a map.
=“Color a map using at most 4 colors!”
4 The set of all complete consistent extensions of a theory T
=“Find a complete consistent extension of T !”
Closed Sets of Reals
Degrees of points in
Π01sets
A question is whether or not there exists a computably unsolvable problem.
The example 1 is computably solvable becauseπand e are not algebraic, and are computable reals.
The examples 2,3,4 are closed (Π
∼ 0
1) problem in spaces [0,1],4ω,2ω, respectively.
Does there exist a computably unsolvable problem in these examples?
Closed Sets of Reals
Remark
1 Every open set contains a computable point.
2 Some closed set contains no computable point. E.g., for a noncomputable real r, the singleton{r}contains no computable point.
3 However, the closed set{r}is not effectively closed.
4 Every∆0
1-closed set contains a computable point.
5 Does an effectively closed set (i.e.Π0
1) always contain a computable point?
Closed Sets of Reals
Examples of
Π01classes
Problem Does aΠ0
1class always contains a computable point? In other words:
Does aΠ0
1mass problem always have a computable solution?
Example (Π0
1 problems)
1 The set of all zeros of a computable continuous function.
2 The set of all fixed points of a computable continuous function.
3 The set of all (prime) ideals of a c.e. Boolean algebra.
4 The set of all subgroups of a c.e. group.
5 The set of all 4-colorings of a computable map.
6 The set of all marriages in a computable society.
Closed Sets of Reals
Computability of points in
Π01sets
Observation
1 EveryΠ0
1 singleton is computable.
2 Every isolated point in aΠ0
1class is computable.
3 Every somewhere denseΠ0
1 class contains a computable point.
4 For aΠ0
1 class P, if the Lebesgue measure of P is a positive computable real, then P contains a computable point. Theorem
Assume P is aΠ0
1 class:
1 If x ∈ P is of the Cantor-Bendixson rank n, then x ≤T ∅(2n).
2 If P is countable, then the CB-rank of P is< ωCK
1 ; hence,
Closed Sets of Reals
Degrees of points in
Π01sets
In some sense, everyΠ0
1class contains a nearly computable points.
Kreisel Basis Theorem (1958) EveryΠ0
1class contains a∆0
2point.
Indeed, every end point in the class is of aΣ0
1degree.
Corollary in Reverse Mathematics ACA⊢WKL.
Kreisel-Shoenfield Basis Theorem (1960) EveryΠ0
1class contains a point p <T ∅′.
Closed Sets of Reals
Jockusch-Soare Low Basis Theorem (1972) EveryΠ0
1class contains a low point p, i.e. p′ ≤T ∅′. Corollary in Reverse Mathematics
There exists aω-model of WKL which contains only low sets; hence, WKL0ACA.
Closed Sets of Reals
Antibasis theorems
Theorem (Kreisel’s Anti-Basis Theorem (1953)) There exists aΠ0
1classes which contains no computable point.
Corollary in Reverse Mathematics
Everyω-model of WKL must contain a noncomputable set; hence, RCA0WKL.
Closed Sets of Reals
Proof of Anti-Basis Theorem.
(Lindenbaum) Every consistent theory has a complete consistent extension.
(Shoenfield; 1960) The set of all complete consistent extension of an axiomatizable theory forms aΠ0
1class.
(G ¨odel’s incompleteness theorem) Elementary arithmetic has no complete consistent axiomatizable extensions.
Hence, for example, the set of all complete consistent extension of Peano Arithmetic is a desiredΠ0
1class without a computable point.
Closed Sets of Reals
When a real is computable
Assume we would like to computeπ.
1 (Bit Computation) We compute the following sequence: 3,3.1,3,14,3.141,3.1415, . . .
So, a computable real is a computable sequence of rationals!
2 (Neighborhood Computation) We compute a descending sequence of open neighborhoods Nπ↾nofπ.
Hereµ(Nπ↾n) ≤10−n and{π} =TnNπ↾nis aΠ0
2singleton.
We notice that{π} =TnNπ↾nis aΠ01singleton because Nπ↾n
is, indeed, clopen.
Neighborhood Computation Computable Point = Π0
1singleton
Closed Sets of Reals
Definition
We say that aΠ0
2(A)set P iseffectively nullif P = TnUA
n for an
A -computable sequence{UA
n}n∈ωofΣ 0
1(A)-open sets for which µ(Un) ≤ 2−n.
Observation
x is noncomputable ⇐⇒ x avoids anyΠ0
1singleton.
⇐=x avoids anyΠ0
2effectively singleton. Definition
1 x isKurtz randomif x avoids anyΠ0
1 null set.
2 x isMartin-L ¨of randomif x avoids anyΠ0
2effectively null set.
Closed Sets of Reals
Fact
Every null set is covered by aΠ
∼ 0
2effectively null set.
1 Every null set is covered by aΠ0
2(A)effectively null set with an oracle A .
2 Some null set cannot be covered by anyΠ0
1(A)null set with any oracle A .
3 Indeed, someΠ0
2effectively null set cannot be covered by any Π01(A)null set with any oracle A .
In this sense, Kurtz randomness seems to be too weak.
Closed Sets of Reals
Definition
1 x isKurtz randomif x avoids anyΠ0
1 null set.
2 x isMartin-L ¨of randomif x avoids anyΠ0
2effectively null set.
3 x isweakly 2-randomif x avoids anyΠ0
2null set.
Observation However, aΠ0
2-procedure is not effective:
1 No∆0
2 real avoids anyΠ0
2singleton.
2 Indeed, a nonarithmetical real∅(ω)does not avoid aΠ0 singleton. 2
In this sense, weakly 2-random seems to be too strong, if we regard “being random” as a generalization of “being
Closed Sets of Reals
Observation Not everyΠ0
2effectively singleton is computable. Problem
What reals are represented by aΠ0
1 effectively singleton?
Closed Sets of Reals
Martion-L ¨ of random reals
We have observed aΠ01class without computable points. Now we ask whether there is aΠ0
1class without “almost” computable points:
(Question) Does there exist aΠ0
1 class which contains only Martin-L ¨of random real?
Theorem
1 The set MLR of all Martin-L ¨of random reals form aΣ0
2class.
2 There exists aΠ0
1class which contains only Martin-L ¨of random real.
3 MLR is degree-isomorphic to aΠ0
1 class.
4 EveryΠ0
1 class of Lebesgue measure>0 contains a point of
Closed Sets of Reals
Corollary in Reverse Mathematics
Everyω-model of WWKL must contain a Martin-L ¨of random set; hence, RCA0WWKL.
Closed Sets of Reals
Generic properties are another example of “almost-all” properties: (Random) If a property P almost always holds,
then a random point satisfies P.
(Generic) If a property P generically holds, then a generic point satisfies P.
Here:
“P almost always holds” means that P isconull, i.e., its complement is measure 0.
“P generically holds ( P)” usually means that P iscomeager, i.e., its complement is a countable union of nowhere dense sets.
Closed Sets of Reals
Definition
1 x isweakly 1-genericif x avoids any nowhere denseΠ0
1set P;
Equivalently, if int(P) = ∅ ⇒ x < P.
2 x is1-genericif, for anyΠ0
1 class P, x <int(P) ⇒ x < P.
We have already observed the existence of the following:
1 AΠ0
1class without computable points.
2 AΠ0
1class without non-ML-random points. Now we again ask whether there is aΠ0
1class without
“almost” computable points. However... recall that, if aΠ0
1contains no computable points, then it must be nowhere dense!
Hence, everyΠ0
1 class contains a non-1-generic point.
Closed Sets of Reals
Some invisible reals from
Π01classes
Definition (Invisible Notions)
1 x isunrankedif it avoids any countableΠ0
1class.
2 x issemi-genericif it is noncomputable and it avoids anyΠ0 class without computable points. 1
3 x isKurtz randomif it avoids any nullΠ0
1class.
4 x isweakly 1-genericif it avoids any nowhere denseΠ0
1set.
5 x isweakly n-genericif it avoids any nowhere dense Π0n-closed set.
And, for a Turing-degree d;
1 d iscompletely unrankedif d contains only unranked reals.
2 d ispurely semigenericif d contains only semigeneric reals.
3 d isinvisibleif anyΠ0class P contains no point of degree d
Closed Sets of Reals
Some invisible reals from
Π01classes
Theorem (Lewis) There exists a∆0
3invisible real. Indeed, every weakly 2-generic real is invisible.
Closed Sets of Reals
A computably unsolvableΠ0
1 mass problem exists.
For given computably unsolvable problems P and Q, which problem ismore unsolvable?
Definition
1 A ≤
T B if a Turing functional B 7→A exists.
2 P ≤
M Q if a Turing functional Q →P exists.
A Medvedev degreeis a equivalent class induced by≡M.
Observation
∅is the most difficult problem;
∅is a problem without solutions!
A computably solvable problem is on of the easiest problems.
Closed Sets of Reals
Medvedev degrees
In 1955, Medvedev introduced the notion of Medvedev degree to give a semantics of the Intuitionistic Propositional Logic. But it may have been first suggested by Kolmogorov. The top element∅corresponds to the contradiction⊥. The bottom elementωωcorresponds to the tautology⊤. If one witnesses the truth of P and if Q ≤M P, then one can also witnesses the truth of Q via a computable procedure! Actually, Medvedev showed that the set of all Medvedev degrees forms a Brouwer algebra (i.e. dual Heyting algebra). Now we observed that the Medvedev degrees gives a truth value, and also a computability value.
But our interest is not in a truth value but in a computability value.
Closed Sets of Reals
Observation
If P ⊇Q then P ≤M Q; Intuitively:
If a problem P has more solutions than Q, then P must be easier than Q!
If P is of Lebesgue measure> 0, then P has many many solutions. So, P is expected to be easy.
However, we should remember that some problem P of Lebesgue measure>0 contains only random points!
Nevertheless, still a problem of measure>0 is easy, in some sense.
Proposition
The Medvedev degrees of allΠ0
1 classes of Lebesgue measure
>0 form a prime ideal in theΠ0
1Medvedev degrees.
Closed Sets of Reals
Definition (Cenzer-K.-Weber-Wu (2009)) For aΠ0
1class P ⊆2 ω,
1 P isimmuneif there is no infiniteΣ0
1 subtree of TP.
2 P istree-immuneif there is no infinite∆0
1 subtree of TP. For aΠ0
1set P ⊆ω ω,
P isimmuneif there is noΣ0
1 subtree S ⊆TPsuch that[S] , ∅.
Theorem (Demuth-Kucera)
1 The set of all fixed-point-free functions forms a immuneΠ0 class. 1
2 Every immuneΠ0
1class⊆ω
ωcontains no points computable from a 1-generic.
3 If a >0 is not semi-generic then some immuneΠ0
1class
contains a point of degree a.
Closed Sets of Reals
Scott’s Basis Theorem EveryΠ0
1class contains a point which computable from a complete consistent extension of PA.
Theorem (Pour-El–Kripke (19XX) / Simpson (2000)) The following are equivalent for anyΠ0
1 class P:
1 P has the greatest Medvedev degree among all nonemptyΠ0 classes. 1
2 P is computably homeomorphic to the set of all complete consistent extension of PA (ZFC, RCA0, etc.)
Closed Sets of Reals
Theorem (Cole-Kihara (2010))
The∀∃-theory of Medvedev degrees ofΠ0
1 classes is decidable.
Closed Sets of Reals
Recall that aΠ0
1class P is generated by aΠ0
1set TP.
So,∅ ≤T TP ≤T ∅′. EveryΠ0
1 class P for which TP ≡T ∅contains a computable point, hence P has the Medvedev degree 0.
The Medvedev degree of P is 1 then TPhas the Turing degree 0′.
(Def.) AΠ0
1class P isthinif everyΠ 0
1subclass Q ⊆ P is open
in the relative topology of P:
1 If P is a thinΠ01class then TPis of ANR-degree.
2 For every ANR-degree a, there exists a thinΠ01class P such that TPis of degree a.
3 No thinΠ0
1class has the Medvedev degree 1.
4 No thinΠ0
1class without isolated points has the Medvedev degree 0.
Closed Sets of Reals
Theorem (K. (2010)) LetIMbe an ideal of∆0
2Turing degrees generated by {degT(TQ) : Q ∈ M}.
1 LetMbe an effective family ofΠ0
1 classes, and supposeIM form a proper ideal in∆0
2 Turing degrees. Then there exists a Π0
1 class P such that∅<T TP <T ∅′such that Q ≤M P for every Q ∈ M.
2 If P is aΠ0
1class of∅<T TP <T ∅
′then there exists aΠ0 class Q >M P for which∅<T TQ <T ∅′. 1
Closed Sets of Reals